The more that I looked around yesterday there is a link between Dr. Dodd and Dr. Becker who is part of the Dr. Mercola movement. If you search around on Youtube there are interviews of Dr. Dodd by Dr. Becker which involve very troubling and questionable opinions being discussed. Those opinions have been many times over addressed by the Veterinary community as being scientifically unfounded. Dr. Mercola who is a human doctor has been under fire with the FDA for his unfounded and dangerous beliefs. I say beliefs because they are not based on science and so they are opinions on his part that people chose to follow to bolster their layman opinions.

I know that Dr. Dodd's approach is followed by some people but my personal opinion is with her seemingly close connection to Mercola alone she loses all credibility.

I saw that. It just sounded weird to me.

:thumbs_up:thumbs_up:thumbs_up

I think Yorkiemom1 is talking about this: Helping Allergies In Dogs With Food Energetics - Dogs Naturally Magazine

Herbsmith Food Energetics Charts

Personally, I'm all about going the Natural route...that's what nature started off with. That's why I choose to feed my dogs a species appropriate diet to the best of my comfort level.

I understand that what works for some will not work for others...

I totally agree that people should feed a diet that makes them comfortable. I too enjoy going "natural" and my home cooked food for my dogs is very natural in that regard. But...

I take issue with comments like "species appropriate diet" - this is where it's a matter of opinion and not fact. If we were looking at facts, a dog in the wild eats out of dumpsters and whatever can be scavenged in their environment. In fact, as man evolved into animal husbandry, dogs were often coming around our camp fires instead of eating their "species appropriate" wild food.... I would say this is because dog is no fool and knew that our feasts might have better dining options. This, plus our companionship, may be why they've been our best friends for over 10,000 years. It is not any less "appropriate" to feed your dog a diet that may be conveniently packaged and formulated using science and technology if that works for your dog.

Jenny, I know you're a big follower of Dodds. I know those of us who go another route won't win you over just as we can't convince people that the guy who said autism was caused by vaccines made it up. I'm ok with that, and I am not trying to win anyone over with my views, but can you please try to not insult the 98% of dog owners who feed cooked or commercial kibble or canned food by suggesting they are not feeding "species appropriate" food. Some of us really do have beautiful middle aged and elderly dogs who have lived wonderful lives using the very diets you want to dis.

My definition of species appropriate diet is based on their anatomy...specifically, their digestive system. It's designed to eat highly digestible proteins, bones & organs...it gets soaked in a acid bath which also kills the pathogens, like salmonella & other bacteria. It doesn't harm them bc they have a short digestive tract, unlike us humans. Of course, this would be true for a normal healthy dog (or cat).

Yes, some dogs do fabulous on kibble, all their lives. Mine didn't. Like I said, what works for some will not for others.

I'm not going to shove it down anyone's throat...to get to where I am now, it took years & it made sense to me. I would never expect it to make sense to everyone else. You feed your pet what you feel is right. I'm not saying anything is right or wrong, it's what you & I feel comfortable with.

Dogs can get salmonella and do sometimes it even kills them. Dogs did not come from wolves and dogs systems evolved to eating mostly dry food so that is actually what there systems are used too.

:eek:Again, it's like the people who believe autism is caused by vaccine. I leave you to your reality. Whoever it comes from, it's yours.

I never said anything about wolves? I don't even feed a true 'species appropriate diet'. I feed a commercial premade raw diet. It's working out great for my dogs so far.

I'm scared to death that they'll choke on bones or break their teeth, never gave them raw bones but would like to one day...so it can help clean their teeth. Just not @ that comfort level yet & I don't know if I'll ever get there.

Like I said, in a 'normal healthy dog'...of course they're susceptible to get salmonella & food poisoning, esp if the immune system of the dog is compromised.

Dogs can get salmonella from kibble too. We are @ risk from handling raw meats we buy from markets as well. So safe handling practices is a must.

I don't care what you feed your dogs, but don't ever believe that salmonella cannot harm them.

Salmonella Infection in Dogs | petMD

Common Bacterial Diseases Among Dogs

Untitled Document

CDC - Information for Pet Owners - Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infantis Infections

And there are lots more links. I know what your "natural" links tell you, but I also know it is misinformation.

You and your pups may get lucky...some do....but not everyone does. I have met a few people online and in person who have had problems with raw diets and GI illness in their dogs. They won't post here because they say they don't want the conflict, but it can and does happen. Hopefully, your dogs will continue to do well . There are other people who will come here and swear that kibble has salmonella...but that is also not true. We do, however, know for a fact that it is often in raw meat

Don't kid yourself about the kibble...can it happen? Well sure it CAN happen if there is bad food handling. But, lets face it, it is a fact that raw meat can have salmonella and the ONLY way to rid it is with heat. If you feed raw, you don't kill the salmonella.

And I am sorry, but normal healthy dogs can get salmonella. It does not just pick on the compromised animals.

This forum encourages members to express their views, opinions, ideas, experiences and choices on various topics that are of interest to them. I understand that we will sometimes make choices that will not be in line with what others might choose. Sometimes we just believe in different approaches to achieving the same goals; raising a healthy, well adjusted pup.

Please try to develop a more tolerant approach when communicating with people who hold different views from yourself. Because someone holds a different set of values shouldn't be cause for remarks that they are "kooks," "crazies," or even insinuations that they are stupid because their choices run counter to your own. When you make statements and expect them to be accepted as true, simply because you made them, doesn't create an environment on the forum as a place for open discussions.

This:
Maybe if everyone would just post what they believe rather than telling people how wrong they are things would go a bit smoother.

I don't know who you are talking to, but this is not about someone's set of values. It is about misinformation and if I think I can help someone understand something, I will continue to post what I post.

I have a feeling that you are referring to me...I could be wrong...but I believe I clearly stated that people can feed what they wish. And, I didn't attack anyone...I happen to like Jenny. I was merely advising her about what I know about salmonella. I have studied microbiology and also have had first hand esperience with this bacteria...it is nothing to play with.

hmmm I reread that...I know I didn't call anyone a kook or crazy person....so maybe not me? I don't know but I am going to a movie!
Have a nice evening everyone!! :)